The Ministry of Health has just sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, requesting to strengthen measures to prevent and control measles.

More than 961,793 children have been vaccinated against measles in the 2024 vaccination campaign in 31 provinces and cities.

Recently, provinces and cities have proactively implemented measles vaccination campaigns according to Decision No. 2495/QD-BYT and Official Dispatch No. 4992/BYT-DP of the Ministry of Health. This campaign combines disease risk assessment to propose additional measures.

However, some provinces and cities have not yet ensured vaccination progress. To overcome this, the Ministry of Health requires localities to closely monitor and supervise the epidemic situation in their localities.

Actively detect and thoroughly handle outbreaks to prevent them from spreading or breaking out. Increase admission, emergency care, and timely treatment to limit serious illness and death.

Organize training to improve monitoring and treatment capacity according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health. Strictly implement regulations on infection control and prevent cross-infection at medical facilities.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health requires localities to coordinate with neighboring areas, share information about the epidemic, and step up propaganda so that people can fully vaccinate their children on schedule.

It is known that recently, measles outbreak has been strong in Ho Chi Minh City with 1,858 cases and 3 deaths recorded since the beginning of 2024. In addition, the number of measles cases transferred from other provinces to the city reached 3,052 cases, including 1 death.

The city declared an outbreak in August and launched a measles vaccination campaign, including for children under nine months of age (the “zero” shot). However, the outbreak has continued to grow, with more than 200 new cases a week in recent times.

In Dong Nai, the measles epidemic is also complicated, with 2,245 cases and 1 death since the beginning of 2024, a sharp increase compared to only 3 cases in the same period in 2023.

More than 91.5% of measles cases in Dong Nai have not been vaccinated, despite the province having a high vaccination rate (about 80,000 people, equivalent to 97%). Notably, measles here also affects adults, many of whom are hospitalized in serious condition.

To prevent the epidemic, southern provinces have stepped up vaccination campaigns, reviewed lists of unvaccinated subjects, and increased propaganda to raise public awareness of measles prevention and control. Local authorities continue to recommend that people proactively get fully vaccinated to create community immunity.

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, measles is a group B infectious disease caused by the measles virus. The disease is common in children under 5 years old or can also occur in adults, due to not being vaccinated against measles or not being vaccinated enough.

Measles has no specific treatment and is easily spread through the respiratory tract through droplets of an infected person or through direct contact, through hands contaminated with the patient's secretions.

Crowded places such as public places, schools... have a very high risk of spreading measles. Measles outbreaks usually occur in cycles of 3-5 years.

Dr. Nguyen Tuan Hai, Safpo/Potec vaccination system, said that vaccination is an effective measure to prevent disease. The disease transmission can only be stopped when the immunity rate in the community reaches >95%.

Therefore, to prevent measles, the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health recommends that people proactively take children from 9 months to 2 years old who have not been vaccinated or have not received 2 doses of measles vaccine to get fully vaccinated on schedule.

Do not let children come near or come into contact with children suspected of having measles; Wash hands frequently with soap when caring for children. Keep children's bodies, noses, throats, eyes and mouths clean every day. Ensure that the house and toilets are well-ventilated and clean. Improve children's nutrition.

Nursery schools, kindergartens, and schools where children gather must be kept clean and airy; toys, learning tools, and classrooms must be regularly disinfected with common disinfectants.

When detecting signs of fever, cough, runny nose, rash, it is necessary to isolate the child early and take him/her to the nearest medical facility for examination and timely treatment advice. Do not take the child for unnecessary treatment to avoid hospital overload and cross-infection in the hospital.